Motion imparting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A motion imparting apparatus having a member pivotally mounted in a fluid stream. An airfoil is pivotally connected to the member for cooperating with the fluid stream and being moved thereby to pivot the member. The airfoil stalls at extreme end positions of the swing of the member, and changes positions relative to the member to swing back-and-forth across the fluid stream. The apparatus may be mounted on a fan, and the like, for deflecting air dispensed thereby, or the member may be connected to and actuate in a known manner a suitable mechanism. The frequency of oscillation of the airfoil is varied by adjusting the angle of the pivot axis of the member in a direction parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid stream.

Hendriclsson [4 1 Feb. 18,1975

[ MOTION IMPARTING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Ray V. Hendriekson, 816Dogwood Rd., North Palm Beach, Fla. 33403 221 Filed: Dec.1,1972

21 Appl. No.: 311,141

[52] US. Cl 415/125, 416/79, 98/116 [51] Int. Cl. F01d 7/00, F03d 5/06,FOld 9/00 [58] Field of Search 415/23, 125; 416/79; 98/1 16, 94

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 755,199 3/1904 Wellman415/125 1,093,062 4/1914 Mellinger 73/188 2,336,295 12/1943 Reimuller415/125 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 237,361

lll

7/1925 Great Britain 98/116 Primary Examiner-Carlton R. Croyle AssistantExaminer'-Louis T. Casaregola Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence: A.O'Brien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT A motion imparting apparatushaving a member pivotally mounted in a fluid stream. An airfoil ispivotally connected to the member for cooperating with the fluid streamand being moved thereby to pivot the member. The airfoil stalls atextreme end positions of the swing of the member, and changes positionsrelative to the member to swing back-and-forth across the fluid stream.The apparatus may be mounted on a fan, and the like, for deflecting airdispensed thereby, or the member may be connected to and actuate in aknown manner a suitable mechanism. The frequency of oscillation of theairfoil is varied by adjusting the angle of the pivot axis of the memberin a direction parallel to the direction of flow of the fluid stream.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Pmmm 3.857.058

SHEET REF 2 Fig.3

I MOTION IMPARTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates generally to motion impartingapparatus, and particularly to a fan air dispenser for distributinglydeflecting air emanating from a fan.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many arrangements have been proposed forusing the energy of a fluid stream to impart motion. Water wheels andwindmills are especially well known and have been long used.

In particular, it is generally known to distribute air from'a fan, andthe like, by using a portion of the energy of air emanating from the fanto move deflecting shutters. An example of this approach may be found inUS. Pat. No; 755,199. A deflecting device is set out in this patenthaving a small propeller rotated by the fan propeller to oscillate aplurality of shutters through a drive train. This known arrangement,however, is relatively complicated, having many moving parts, lowefficiency, short life, and high maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention toprovide fluid actuated, motion imparting apparatus which is simple ofconstruction and efficient of operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple andefficient air deflector for a fan, and the like.

These and other objects are achieved according to the present inventionby providing a motion imparting apparatus having: a pivotally mountedmember arranged in a fluid stream; and an airfoil pivotally connected tothe member and arranged for cooperating with the fluid stream andpivoting the member. The member is arranged to swing between two extremeend positions, and the airfoil stalls and changes positions relative tothe member at each end position for changing the direction of swingingmovement of the member and airfoil.

Preferably, a motion imparting apparatus according to the presentinvention is used with a conventional fan having a frame. The member ispivotally mounted on the fan frame as by a pair of brackets affixed tothe frame. Each of these brackets may be provided with an openingreceiving a rod forming part of the member. A pair of codirectionallyextending arms complete the member, and are attracted to the rod and theairfoil. In

this manner, the airfoil acts to deflect air from the fan.

One of the brackets is advantageously provided with a plurality ofopenings for selectively receiving an asso ciated end of the rod. Theseopenings are arranged along a line extending away from the fan forpermitting varying of the angle of a longitudinal axis of the rod withrespect to the fan. This variation will change the frequency ofoscillation of the airfoil.

Desirably, a vane is mounted between the arms of the member forassisting the airfoil in deflecting the fluid stream.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a motion imparting apparatusaccording to the present invention mounted on a conventional box fan fordeflecting air emanating from the fan.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the motion imparting apparatus and fanof FIG. 1 with two moved positions of the motion imparting apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly cut away and in section,showing the motion imparting apparatus and fan of FIGS. 1 and 2 with amoved position shown for the motion imparting apparatus to change thefrequency of oscillation thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, top plan view showing a detail of the motionimparting apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken generally along the line6-6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 of the drawings shows afan 10 having a frame 12, a motor 13, a propeller 14, an opening 15covered by a grille 16, and a carrying handle 18. Motor 13 is mounted inframel2 in a suitable, known manner (not shown), and may be a standardelectric motor. Since fan 10 is of a conventional kind, commonlyavailable on the market, it will not be discussed in further detailherein.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings in addition to FIG. 1, anapparatus according to the present invention for imparting motion has amember 20 arranged in a fluid stream emanating from fan 12, as shown bythe flow arrows in FIG. 2, and a symmetrical airfoil 22 pivotallyconnected to member 20 and arranged for being moved by the fluid stream.Member 20 is pivotally mounted on frame 12 as in a manner to bediscussed below, and movement of airfoil 22 pivots member 20 between twoextreme end positions shown in broken lines in FIG. 2. Airfoil 22 stallsand changes positions relative to the member at each end position so asto change the direction of swinging movement of airfoil 22. The fullline and left-hand showings of airfoil 22 in FIG. 2 are for a clockwiseswinging movement as viewed in FIG. 2, and the right-hand broken-lineshowing in the same figure is the position of airfoil 22 at the end of acounterclockwise swinging movement and before airfoil 22 stalls so as toswing in the clockwise direction.

Member 20 is illustrated as mounted on frame 12 by a pair of brackets 24and 26. Bracket 24 is provided with an opening 28, while bracket 26 isprovided with a plurality of openings 30 (FIG. 4). Member 20 is formedby a rod 32 having ends arrangeable in openings 28, 30, and a pair ofcodirectionally extending arms 34 and 36 mounting airfoil 22 andconnected to rod 32 between brackets 24, 26. Openings 30 are arrangedalong a line A-A extending perpendicularly away from fan 10, and permitvarying of the angle of longitudinal axis B-B of rod 32 with respect tofan 10 to change the frequency of oscillation of airfoil 22.

FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings show a preferred manner of pivotallymounting airfoil 22 to arms 34, 36. A pair of brackets 38, each havingtwo stops 40, are anchored in airfoil 22 as by flanges 42 being insertedin slots 44 cut into airfoil 22. Openings 46 in brackets 38 permit bentends of arms 34, 36 to pass through brackets 38 and into holes 48provided in airfoil 22. Stops 40 limit pivotal movement of airfoil 22about axis CC (FIG. 6) to, for example, 60 of are.

A vane 50 is advantageously mounted in a known manner between arms 34,36 to assist airfoil 22 in deflecting the fluid stream emanating fromfan 10. Vane 50 also serves to rigidify member 20.

The operation of the fan air dispenser apparatus according to thepresent invention may be readily understood from the above descriptionand from the drawings. Since airfoil 22 is always at an angle, perhapswith arms 34, 36 abutting a stop 40, with respect to a, for example,compressible fluid stream, an airflow in this instance, well knownaerodynamic principles will cause airfoil 22 to have a greater pressureon a one symmetrical surface than on the other, and to accordingly moveacross the fluid stream. When member 20 reaches an end position, a, forexample, 170 are being possible, airfoil 22 will, by proper design, havereached its stall angle with respect to the fluid stream, causingairfoil 22 to lose lift and pivot about axis CC as much as 60 to changeits angle of attack with respect to the fluid stream. This new angle ofattack will cause airfoil 22 to be moved by the fluid stream toward theother end position. Airfoil 22 and vane 50 will deflect air from fan inthe direction of airfoil 22. The oscillating frequency of airfoil 22 iscontrollable by changes the angle of access BB as much as, for example,3 from the vertical, or from the plane of fan 10. The fastestoscillations will be at the vertical; a change from the verticalcreating flow parallel to airfoil 22 and decreasing in a known mannerthe lift forces on airfoil 22.

By using a fan air dispenser apparatus according to the presentinvention, a body flow of air is directed in an aerodynamically cleanmanner as a whole, not as, in the manner of a stationary deflector, aside track which causes back pressure on the fan. Additional linkagessuch as bell cranks and rods (not shown) could be provided to actuateadditional deflectors (not shown) mounted vertically for lateralmovement and horizontally for vertical movement to deflect air up anddown. These additional linkages would be actuated in a known manner bymember 20.

The motion imparting apparatus, including airfoil 22, according to thepresent invention, could be used for other purposes than deflecting airfrom a fan, and the like. By arranging airfoil 22 in a suitableairstream, motion of member 20 could be imparted to any suitable, knowndevice requiring energy. Thus, apparatus according to the presentinvention may be used in the same manner as a windmill, and the like.

For a device such as the invention presented herein, the relative sizesof certain elements, such as arms 24 and 36 and airfoil surface 22, areconsidered to be of some significance to performance. To better enablethose skilled in the art to make and use this invention, the followingdimensions, taken from a test model, are presented as part of thisdisclosure. It should be noted that for a symmatrical airfoil, such asused on the model, the center of lift is upstream of the pivot point.

Airfoil Surface (22) Chord 7%" Span l2 3/16" Pivot Point 2%" fromleading edge Range of Pivotal movement i 30 relative to arms 34 and 36Pivotal Arms Upper Arms (34) Lower Arms (36) The foregoing is consideredas illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction and operation shown and described, and accordingly allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. Apparatus for imparting motion, comprising a pivotally mounted memberarranged in a fluid stream, the member including:

a. an arm having a pair of spaced ends, and pivotally mounted at a oneof the ends;

b. an airfoil pivotally connected to the other of the ends, the arm andairfoil arranged for pivoting about substantially vertical axes betweentwo extreme end positions and the airfoil arranged for swinging theother of the ends, and the airfoil being arranged for changing positionsrelative to the arm and the fluid stream as the arm approaches each endposition for changing the direction of swinging movement of the airfoil;and

0. stop means-for causing the other of the ends and the airfoil toengage one another and determine the angle of the airfoil relative tothe arm and the fluid stream in each position of the airfoil.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the arm is pivotallyarranged centrally of the'fluid stream for permitting the airfoil todeflect the fluid stream, and further including a vanae affixed to thearm and arranged substantially parallel to the airfoil for assisting theairfoil in deflecting the fluid stream.

3. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the airfoil issymmetrical.

4. A structure as defined in claim 1, further including a fan having aframe, and means for vertically pivotally mounting the one end of thearm on the frame centrally of the fan.

5. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the mounting meansincludes a pair of brackets affixed to the frame in a common verticalplane, each bracket provided with an opening, and the member includes arod arranged in the openings and the arm is a pair of codirectionallyextending arms mounted on the airfoil and connected to the rod betweenthe brackets.

6. A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein one of the brackets has aplurality of openings arranged along a line extending away from the fanfor receiving the rod and permitting varying of the angle of alongitudinal axis of the rod with respect to the fan for changing thefrequency of oscillation of the airfoil.

7. A structure as defined in claim 6, further including a vane mountedbetween the arms, the airfoil and vane being arranged for deflecting thefluid stream.

8. A structure as defined in claim 5, further including a vane mountedbetween the arms, the airfoil and vane being arranged for deflecting thefluid stream.

9. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the mounting meansincludes means for varying the frequency of oscillation of the memberpivoting means.

1. Apparatus for imparting motion, comprising a pivotally mounted memberarranged in a fluid stream, the member including: a. an arm having apair of spaced ends, and pivotally mounted at a one of The ends; b. anairfoil pivotally connected to the other of the ends, the arm andairfoil arranged for pivoting about substantially vertical axes betweentwo extreme end positions and the airfoil arranged for swinging theother of the ends, and the airfoil being arranged for changing positionsrelative to the arm and the fluid stream as the arm approaches each endposition for changing the direction of swinging movement of the airfoil;and c. stop means for causing the other of the ends and the airfoil toengage one another and determine the angle of the airfoil relative tothe arm and the fluid stream in each position of the airfoil.
 2. Astructure as defined in claim 1, wherein the arm is pivotally arrangedcentrally of the fluid stream for permitting the airfoil to deflect thefluid stream, and further including a vanae affixed to the arm andarranged substantially parallel to the airfoil for assisting the airfoilin deflecting the fluid stream.
 3. A structure as defined in claim 1,wherein the airfoil is symmetrical.
 4. A structure as defined in claim1, further including a fan having a frame, and means for verticallypivotally mounting the one end of the arm on the frame centrally of thefan.
 5. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the mounting meansincludes a pair of brackets affixed to the frame in a common verticalplane, each bracket provided with an opening, and the member includes arod arranged in the openings and the arm is a pair of codirectionallyextending arms mounted on the airfoil and connected to the rod betweenthe brackets.
 6. A structure as defined in claim 5, wherein one of thebrackets has a plurality of openings arranged along a line extendingaway from the fan for receiving the rod and permitting varying of theangle of a longitudinal axis of the rod with respect to the fan forchanging the frequency of oscillation of the airfoil.
 7. A structure asdefined in claim 6, further including a vane mounted between the arms,the airfoil and vane being arranged for deflecting the fluid stream. 8.A structure as defined in claim 5, further including a vane mountedbetween the arms, the airfoil and vane being arranged for deflecting thefluid stream.
 9. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein the mountingmeans includes means for varying the frequency of oscillation of themember pivoting means.